News and notes from around the interweb:
- American will retire its E190 small regional jet aircraft that are part of its mainline fleet (these fly, among other places, on the East Coast shuttle). They’re also retiring their A330-300s and accelerating retirement of 767s.
- Man arrested trying not to miss his flight.
A man who missed his flight Wednesday at Detroit Metro Airport apparently wasn’t interested in rebooking.
Instead, he left the airport’s North Terminal through an emergency exit and was arrested in an apparent attempt to reach the plane where it was parked outside.
- Hertz is testing ‘choose your own vehicle’: After a pilot program in Austin they’re apparently testing in Fort Lauderdale with the intention of rolling out in several locations by end of year.
- After my Marriott stay last week the promised email folio did not arrive. I called the property and was told that it takes two days for the emails they send to go out. Hey Marriott, the 90’s called and they want their fax machine back.
- British Airways plans to keep their ‘efficient’ 8-across business class while the rest of the market goes four-across. Here’s what that experience is like.
- The Onion: Frequent Flyer Knows Out-Of-The-Way Airport Bar That’s Never Crowded (HT: Matt B.)
- Loyalty programs are a significant differentiator in consumer purchase decisions
I had the unfortunate experience of being a trans atlantic AA A330 & E190 yesterday. Overall, I went to Italy and back all on AA and I have to say all 4 legs were the worst aircrafts I have flown in. The cherry topper is the 777 that flies trans atlantic without MCE and 1990s IFE. I am never flying AA outside of US again.
We just completed our first Business Flight on British from San Diego to Berlin and back. You pretty much nailed our experience. While it was far from the most luxurious Business flight we’ve had the convenience of flying out of San Diego (instead of LA) made it one of the easiest and most restful international flights we’ve had. When we booked this award flight 300 days ago they didn’t offer First Class but we will be trying FC on our February trip to Amsterdam.